Complete a Free Nassau County Warrant Search on Anyone

Quickly run a free Nassau County warrant search on yourself or on another person to see who’s wanted locally.

A warrant refers to an official order from the court giving authority to law enforcement to carry out certain actions, including arresting an individual or searching one’s property. Personal safety, background checks, or concern for others are common reasons searching for this information may be helpful.

This streamlined resource provides clear guidance on how to look up warrants seamlessly in Nassau County, New York.

An Overview of Conducting a Nassau County Warrant Search

Being able to view pending warrants can help prevent unwanted legal complications in the future, while improving transparency and safety in communities.

A warrant is a process that originates from the court. Under Section 255 of the New York State (NYS) Judiciary Law, all citizens have the right to access court records, papers, files and the clerk of a court is obligated to “diligently search” to respond to a request.¹

However, there are also statutory limitations to public availability of court records. It is also stated that the requester must be able to reasonably describe/identify the specific records they are seeking, and cannot simply make a request for general information.

All criminal proceedings as well as civil actions are presumed to be open to the public. At the same time, a defendant’s DCJS (Division of Criminal Justice Services) official criminal history report, or “rap sheet” is not subject to public disclosure.

Furthermore, individuals other than the defendant are not allowed to access court records that are designated sealed or confidential by the court.²

There are different types of warrants in Nassau County, most of them cannot be accessed online for free. However, there are several county custodians/agencies in Nassau County that can assist in finding warrant-related information including the county and district court, sheriff’s office and statewide resources. The searches may also be conducted at the city, town and village level.

The basic information required is the desired subject’s first name and last name. To get more specific results, it helps to know the county of their residence or where the offense might have occurred.

Most warrants are available to the public as mandated by the New York Freedom of Information Law, however there are some exceptions. For example, search warrants may not be available if this is not yet executed or it may interfere with ongoing law enforcement investigations.

Verify if You or Someone Else Has an Active Warrant in Nassau County New York

To find out if someone has a warrant in Nassau County, New York, the best way to get started is by using relevant court resources.

If an offense was committed within the Nassau County, the warrant can be found through the Nassau County County Court and District Court Offices:³

Nassau County District Court
99 Main St., 2nd Floor
Hempstead, New York 11550

Phone: 516-493-4201

Nassau County Court 
262 Old Country Road,
Mineola, New York 11501

Phone: 516-493-3710

Residents may also get information about pending/active warrants through Glen Cove City Court, Long Beach City Court or the respective local court that has jurisdiction over the area where the offense might have occurred.

The local courts’ individual websites do not provide any tools to conduct a free warrant search online. So, interested parties may reach the court by phone or visit the court clerk’s office in person.

Here is a searchable directory to find the addresses and phone numbers of all city, town, and village courts in Nassau County.⁴ Select “Nassau” from the County drop-down menu, choose the court type, and click “Find the Court.”

It is advisable to contact the courthouse nearest to where the person resides, or is likely to be found.

The abovementioned local courts handle criminal offenses as well as civil matters; so they have the authority to issue warrants for various reasons. Some of the most common warrants in Nassau County will be discussed in a subsequent section of the article.

Another way to find active warrants or wanted persons is through the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. The office does not provide any online warrant lookup tool on their official website.

Inquirers may visit the departments in person or call to request information remotely.

Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
100 Carman Ave.
East Meadow, New York 11554

Phone: 516-572-4100

On the other hand, the Nassau County Police Department offers an online Civic Alert System for the public.⁵ It shares regular notifications on public safety, crime alerts and occasionally, suspects who have arrest warrants issued against them.

The Nassau County police, in partnership with Crime Stoppers, maintains an online list of wanted persons with photos and reasons why they are being sought.

However, an active warrant found online should be verified by contacting the Nassau County Police Department.

Nassau County Police Department
1490 Franklin Ave.
Mineola, New York 11501

Phone: 516-573-8800

Any Nassau County resident can reach out to their nearest police department to check for warrants within their jurisdictions.

In general, law enforcement agencies do not disclose public warrant information over the phone. Remote public access is not available either. Inquirers may call to leave a message or to schedule a visit to find out if they (or someone else) have a warrant for their arrest.

Here’s a list of phone numbers for several law enforcement agencies including city and village police.

Another approach is to find a Nassau County warrant by using third-party search sites. Third-party sites collect data from multiple sources (government agencies, social media and other information outlets) allowing users to view an extensive list of warrants or arrest records for a specific city, town or village.

Sometimes, an individual’s county of residence may be different from the location where a warrant might be issued against them. So, a statewide criminal history report is most likely to uncover if there is a warrant for someone’s arrest.

How To Check Who Has a Warrant Throughout New York (Statewide Search)

Anyone can freely access the New York State Unified Court System Case Search Portal to search a person by name, to find arrest records or docket information about a case that could have involved a warrant.

No user registration or fees are required to look up court cases online.

However, the WebCriminal Case Lookup Portal does not display cases with active (unresolved) warrants.⁶

It shows only active cases with future appearance dates, for example, where an arrest or search warrant has already been executed.

Also be advised that online court records are not the most current, reliable versions. For example, a criminal “summons” is not publicly available on the site until several weeks after its date of issuance (as mentioned on the WebCrims Case Lookup homepage).

However, this tool can help locate defendants who have already been arrested or those charged with a crime.

Additionally, if a local-level search cannot yield the desired result, citizens may view the state agencies’ lists online free of charge.

• The New York State Police (NYSP) List of Persons Wanted on Warrants
• New York State Department of Corrections’ Most Wanted List⁷

However, there are no searchable online databases or lists that contain active warrants issued by the local/state court systems.

Moreover, the SJS (Spectrum Justice System), the only statewide app which helps track open warrants and their execution, is not accessible to the public. Only local law enforcement agencies are authorized to use it.

To find accurate results, searchers may run a statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) through NYS Office of Court Administration’s online direct access or by mail (using the CHRS application form).⁸

It costs $95.00 to conduct a full statewide background check including whether there is an open warrant for a person’s arrest. For additional information, refer to the NY State CHRS FAQ Section.

Alternatively, citizens can request a criminal history record check through New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The fees range from $13.50 to $43.50 (for those living in the state and living out of the state respectively). Review the DCJS Criminal History FAQs to learn more about this process.

The mail-in addresses, phone numbers, application processing times, identifying information and other requirements are provided on both agencies’ sites.

These background checks are done for employment, business, or other official purposes, whereas a personal background check can be conducted using a third-party public record search site. Note that public record searches may be done for background check purposes as long as it is being done for responsible, legal reasons.

Statewide searches will reveal if someone is currently wanted by authorities throughout New York, particularly offenders with felony and misdemeanor charges.

Types of Warrants & What They Stand For

Knowing the different types of warrants in Nassau County, New York can help make the search process more efficient.

Arrest Warrants: A warrant of arrest in Nassau County may be issued by a local criminal court authorizing a police officer, parole or probation officer to apprehend a suspect/offender and bring them before the judge.

Any felony (serious crimes), misdemeanor, or violation/infraction can lead to issuance of an arrest warrant.⁹ A court may issue an arrest warrant when a noncustodial parent does not pay child support as mandated.

While traffic tickets or related violations can be resolved by paying court-ordered fines online, failure to resolve it may lead to arrest and criminal charges.

Once a Nassau County arrest warrant is issued, the defendant may be arrested on any day and at any hour (day or night).

Bench Warrants: Willfully neglecting court’s orders e.g., failure to appear in court as directed in a summons/ticket, can result in a bench warrant for the offender’s arrest.

A Nassau County bench warrant, similar to an arrest warrant, may be issued by a local court and must be executed in the county of issuance or anywhere else in the state.

A bench warrant may also be executed by an officer of the DOCCS (State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) or a probation officer when the individual named within the warrant violates a condition of their probation or parole.¹⁰

Fugitive Warrants: Even if the subject is not aware of the court order or they have moved to a different state, outstanding warrants do not expire. The state can charge an offender who has relocated for being a fugitive, have them extradited, i.e., returned to the demanding state where the original offense was committed.

Search Warrants: A search may be ordered by a county/local or state court in Nassau County authorizing the police to search a designated premises, vehicle or person to seize the property of a suspect/defendant. A search warrant is executed within 10 days after the date of issuance.

How Do You Resolve an Active Warrant in Nassau County?

If a warrant has been issued against someone you know (friends/family), you may notify the person so they can get legal help and take necessary steps.

In cases when safety is a concern (e.g., the wanted person might be dangerous), it is recommended to leave a tip by calling Nassau County Crime Stoppers at their toll free tip line: +1-800-244-8477.¹¹ All calls will be kept anonymous.

Individuals wanted on active, outstanding Nassau County warrants must go to the clerk’s office in the courthouse where the case is being heard. It is important to ensure all pending court-imposed fines, costs, and restitution (if applicable) are cleared. A warrant can only be removed/cleared when the defendant appears before a judge/issuing court.

Those who do not have an attorney may use the resources provided by the Nassau County Legal Help Center.

The state’s unified court system’s official website mentions New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service so those who need assistance in connecting with a relevant attorney may call the service at 516-747-4832. To get information on how to find a lawyer without paying any fees, visit the NY Court Help.

By turning oneself in, the defendant eliminates the chance of being arrested unexpectedly outside in public, or at home. They may use a bail bondsperson if necessary.

Additional helpful information can be found in the Court Process Guide and the Court Information Center.¹²

Performing a Nassau County warrant search can help individuals be aware and make informed decisions; it is imperative that defendants seek legal counsel and prepare a defense against their charges on time.